Dental Assistant II

SUMMARY: Provides chairside assistance to the dentist and is responsible for the efficient operation of the clinical component of the dental center.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Chairside assisting;
• Seating and Prepare patients for treatment;
• Expose and develop radiographs, according to standard protocols and/or dentist orders;
• Assist dentist during oral exam and treatment;
• Maintain dental instruments and equipment;
• Assist dental hygienist and clerk when necessary and feasible;
• Maintain clinical supply inventory; Maintain dark room;
• Maintain clinical areas with proper infection control procedures;
• Take impressions for study models;
• Apply pit and fissure sealant;
• Polish teeth following prophy of teeth by the dentist and give oral hygiene instructions to pts;
• Responsible for purchase orders and ordering of monthly expendable supplies;
• Participate in continuing education on and off site as appropriate and feasible;
• Insert matrix bands and wedges;
• Place cavity bases and liners;
• Place and/or remove rubber dams;
• Fabricate and cement temporary restorations using temporary cement;
• Apply acid tech materials/rinses;
• Apply bonding agents;
• Remove periodontal dressings, sutures, excess cement;
• Place gingival retraction cord;
• Flush, dry and temporarily close root canals;
• Place and remove temporary restorations;
• Insert Interdental spacers;
• Fit (size) orthodontic bands or brackets;
• Apply dentin desensitizing solutions;
• Perform extra-oral adjustments which affect function, fit or occlusion of any temporary restoration or appliance;
• Polish the clinical crown using only- a hand-held brush and appropriate polishing agents or a combination of a slow speed handpiece (not to exceed 10,000 rpm) with attached rubber cup or bristle brush and appropriate polishing agents;
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Must meet one of the following requirements: (1) Successful completion of An ADA-accredited dental assisting program and current CPR or one academic year or longer in an ADA-accredited dental hygiene program, and current certification in CPR or (2) Successful completion of full-time employment and experience as a chairside assistant for two years (3,000 hours) of the preceding five, during which period the assistant may be trained in any dental delivery setting and allowed to perform the functions of a Dental Assistant II under the direct control and supervision of a licensed dentist or (3) Successful completion of the certification examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, and current certification in CPR.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.  Ability to write simple correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations.  Must be able to communicate with patients of various educational, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:     

NC X-ray and dental assistance certification. CPR Certification.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Excellent interpersonal skills and telephone etiquette.  Ability to work with the public.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical/mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, sit, stand, and walk. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to, climb, balance, stoop, or kneel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move patients of varying weights.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental demands include the ability to learn, adapt to changes, pay close attention to details, exercise discretion and good judgement, develop options and solutions to crisis and problems, gather and analyze facts, courteous and professional behavior, deal with stressful situations and adhere to company policies and procedures.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.